A town of two dawns

By John Donegan

The denizens of the federal electorate of Wentworth experience dawn from two angles every day. From the blackness of a night on the tiles in Kings Cross the revellers try and avoid the first light of the day, while surfers enthusiastically greet the day in Bondi.

Extending from Woolloomooloo to Watsons Bay and south to Clovelly, Wentworth is the most densely populated electorate in the country.

Added to the crowded streets of commuters are the thousands of people who flock like moths to the lights of Kings Cross and the siren of the Bondi surf.

Alfresco diners people the streets of Darlinghurst, whether they choose five star restaurants or a souvlaki on park benches.

The surfers of the eastern beaches navigate their way to the water through parkland filled with yoga and fitness enthusiasts.

Oxford Street, Paddington was once the epicentre of designer labels but now the 'On Sale' signs are being replaced by 'For Lease' billboards.

Wentworth, despite the eclectic variety of people who make Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, and Kings Cross such vibrant suburbs, is decidedly blue ribbon.

The electorate, one of the original federation divisions, claims the title of the highest per-capita income in Australia and has never been held by Labor.

Sitting member Malcolm Turnbull held the seat by 11.01% at the last election, with a strong showing by the Greens candidate, Matthew Robertson.

With the electorate the home of the Sydney Mardi Gras it was described during the last election as being blue, pink and green ribbon.

In a strange case of life imitating art Mr Turnbull will face actor Di Smith for the ALP in the forthcoming election. Ms Smith's character in the Australian television production 'A Country Practice' left the show to pursue life in politics.